Study of discharge characteristics of a color PDP cell using ramp type setup voltage pulse

Summary form only given, as follows. A ramp type setup voltage pulse has been proposed to both enhance the contrast ratio of a color plasma display panel (PDP) and reduce the voltage level for the address period. By slowing ramping up and down the voltage pulse during the setup period, the voltage across the discharge cell is maintained at level just above the breakdown voltage such that the discharge current is minimized for a sustained discharge. This gives rise to a minimal level of the unwanted output light from the discharge and, as a result, the contrast ratio of the display is improved. On the other hand, each cell is left with a voltage across the discharge region at a nearly fixed level for all the cells just below the cell´s breakdown voltage if the setup voltage is ramped up and down at a rate below certain level. One therefore can use a lower voltage for the following address period and reduce the cost of the display. In this study, discharge characteristics in a cell using the ramp type voltage pulse has been investigated by both numerical simulation and experimental measurements. A two dimensional fluid model has been developed to explore the detailed discharge mechanisms in a cell. The results are also compared with measurements of both electrical characteristics and light output from test panels. Initial results and comparisons will be presented.